The Mobile Wireless Internet (MWI) team at i2CAT is looking for a PhD candidate to investigate techniques to enable Reliable Multicast Services over sparse IoT NTN LEO constellations. Sparse NTN LEO constellations based on NB-IoT radios and core network extensions to support store and forward (S&F;) operation are currently being standardized in 3GPP R19. The main use of these constellations is the connection of IoT sensors and actuators deployed in remote locations, where satellite operators can use these constellations to extend the NB-IoT service provided by terrestrial operators. This PhD thesis will investigate the viability of providing a new type of service over these sparse LEO constellations, referred to as reliable multicast services (RMS). RMS consists of transmitting data to a large number of devices reliably, with firmware upgrades delivered to vehicles on the road being a canonical example, expected to grow at 14% CAGR between 2024 and 2031.
The selected candidate will be responsible for:
Understanding the state of the art on the topics related to the PhD topic.Reporting the PhD progress on a weekly basis to the PhD advisors.Working autonomously during the week to validate hypotheses/experiments agreed upon during weekly meetings.Setting up the tools required to execute the PhD (e.g., network/constellation simulators).Analyzing results and suggesting enhancements.Proactively proposing ideas for algorithms and protocol extensions developed in the PhD. The PhD will address the following challenges:
Identifying required extensions to 3GPP protocols and related network design aspects to enable RMS over 3GPP IoT NTN systems.Designing transport and application layer protocols that are efficient in delivering reliable data over sparse LEO IoT NTN constellations.Designing RMS content delivery planning algorithms that fulfill SLAs between the satellite network operator and the application providers. The selected PhD candidate will work with the MWI NTN team at i2CAT and will have a professor from UPC as a co-advisor. In addition to the academic team, the PhD candidate will also interact with a commercial satellite operator that is funding this PhD position.
Who we are:
The i2CAT Foundation is a non-profit research and innovation center that promotes mission-driven R&D activities on advanced Internet architectures, applications, and services. More than 15 years of international research define our expertise in the fields of 5G, IoT, VR, Immersive Technologies, Cybersecurity, Blockchain, AI, and Digital Social Innovation. The center partners with companies, public administration, academia, and end-users to leverage this knowledge to meet real social and business challenges. The greatest value of i2CAT is the talent of the people who make up our human team. We enjoy a team of people from more than 13 different nationalities and work every day to create and foster a work environment where we all feel comfortable creating, innovating, and growing.
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